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Analyse how Amanda in the… (Class 10 English 2026, Q10B)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2026, set 2/5/1 · 6 marks · Long answer

CBSE Class 10 English 2026: question 10(B)

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2026, paper 2/5/1, section C, question 10(B), for 6 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q10(B) · 6 marks · Long answerAmanda!

Analyse how Amanda in the poem ‘Amanda’ and the dragon in the poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ yearn for acceptance and a life free from criticism. (in about 100-120 words)

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2026 board paper, set 2/5/1.

Hints

Open one hint at a time and try again before the next.

Hint 1

Recall what Amanda imagines to escape her elders.

Hint 2

Think how Custard is treated by the pirate, Ink, Blink and Mustard compared with how he feels.

Hint 3

Link both through the need for acceptance.

Step-by-step solution

Each step shows the marks it earns, as an examiner would award them. Checked by an independent re-solve from the question paper.

  1. Amanda is constantly nagged by her elders over posture, food and manners. She escapes into daydreams of being a mermaid, an orphan and Rapunzel, where she finds the peace denied to her in reality.

    2 marks

  2. She says silence is golden and freedom sweet, showing she wants to be left alone, free of criticism.

    1 mark

  3. Custard the dragon is teased by his household for being cowardly, while the others are called brave. He yearns for a nice safe cage and longs to be accepted as he truly is, not a fierce dragon.

    2 marks

  4. Expression and accuracy: a coherent, correct 100-120 word answer.

    1 mark

Answer: Both want escape from criticism and acceptance: Amanda through fantasy freedom, Custard through the safety of a cage and acceptance of his cowardly nature.

Where the marks are

  • Amanda's fantasies and wish to escape nagging (1 mark)
  • Amanda values silence and freedom (1 mark)
  • Custard longs for a safe cage and acceptance, and is teased (1 mark)
  • Expression (2 marks)
  • Accuracy (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

  • Chapter: Amanda! (notes, formulas, where marks are lost and every past question)
Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from Amanda!, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2026 board paper, set 2/5/1: every question, by section.

The question is transcribed from the official paper; figures are described in words. The solution, hints and chapter tag are ours. Spotted an error? Write tosupport@questionbuddy.in.